Wear Your Values

Understanding the difference between sustainable or ethical fashion will help you build a conscious closet effortlessly. I always say: “WEAR YOUR VALUES”, and this is a good starting point. You can make an impact and a statement by aligning your values to the companies you purchase from.

Ask yourself what are you passionate about: Animal welfare, human rights, or climate change and pollution?

Focus on what is important to you and what kind of causes you want to support:

GREEN:
Green is a broader term to denote that one of the following methods of production have been used but does not guarantee that workers have been compensated right or that production did not harm the environment. But it does include new technology, for example waterless denim and textiles made from recycled plastic bottles.
ETHICAL:
Clothes that are ethical are produced in a way that doesn’t harm or exploit workers and/or animals all along the supply chain and production. Includes fair work conditions, living wages, reviving and supporting traditional skills and crafts, and cruelty-free products.
SUSTAINABLE:
A garment is considered sustainable when it’s produced with a minimum impact on the planet. It includes natural textiles and materials like organic cotton or tencel, low-carbon footprint, non-toxic dyes, recycled materials, buying second-hand clothes, upcycling, and more. The focus is to produce little or no pollution, less waste, and use fewer natural resources.
VEGAN & CRUELTY FREE:
Products labeled as vegan do not contain leather or animal byproducts and no animals were harmed in the process of making the product, like no fur and no animal torture.
SLOW FASHION:
Slow fashion is the antithesis of fast fashion and encourages us to buy less garments made of higher quality and through a sustainable process. It puts emphasis on the art of making clothes and celebrates the skills of the craftspeople who makes them.
FAIR TRADE:
In purchasing these products, you are helping to alleviate poverty in developing countries, ensuring that workers are paid fairly, that they work under humane conditions and have a clear understanding of their labor rights. Sustainable methods of production are encouraged, as well as a transparent supply chain.

Why wear second-hand clothes

Wearing second-hand clothes can make you an environmentalist!

I must confess that I wasn’t into buying at thrift stores until I moved to NY, where I found amazing and timeless pieces. Truthfully, there was the icky factor and the fact that I had never found anything that I liked or was my style. I never gave it a chance.

I was not aware of the impact that clothes had on the environment, but the more I learned and understood, it was like a veil was removed from my eyes. Buying used clothes — or donating your own — keeps them from going into landfills and conserves the energy needed to manufacture them.

According to thredUP's 2018 Fashion Resale Report, buying second-hand for an entire year saves 13 trillion gallons of water and 165 billion pounds of carbon dioxide. That's equivalent to enough water for the entire state of California for 14 years and enough carbon dioxide to equal all the cars in Los Angeles taken off the road for four years.

Nowadays, some thrift stores are set up with a boutique vibe, so it is easier to look through racks, and spot the really good deals and items. If you are new to thrifting, go with an open mind because you will never know what you will find.

Great finds are vintage t-shirts (bands, cartoons, etc), vintage Levi’s jeans or jeans in general, jackets, leather bags, and designer clothes. But don’t buy just because it is a bargain, you don’t want to invest your money on something that will remain unworn or worst, in the garbage. Don’t give up after your first visit and don’t feel discourage if you didn’t find what you like.

Try a different location, neighborhood, or city that reflects your authentic style. The great thing about thrift stores is that the merchandise is being refreshed constantly, and you will find something you like.

I’m wearing all second hand garments from my favorite stores, Housingworks in NY - and Lotus House Thrift Store in Miami.

The first step to a Sustainable Closet

What is the first step to a Sustainable Closet?
You may be surprised to know that the answer is neither buying from ethical designers nor buying second-hand. It is actually Wearing  and Re-Wearing the clothes that you already have in your closet.

According to Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion, an American woman adds an average of 64 pieces of new clothing to her wardrobe each year, although back in 1930 she only had 9 outfits altogether. On top of that, the avg. person only wears about 20% of the clothing in his or her closets.

Most clothing goes unworn because it's the result of an impulse buy or it doesn't fit correctly. You know, that piece of clothing you truly liked but that you will wear once you lose the weight or when that ideal day comes.

“Fashion” – is those clothes you wear every single day, and it has a huge impact on human, social, and environmental capital. Assessing what you currently own and re-wearing it should be the first step towards a more conscious wardrobe.

What you don’t use, should be disposed correctly -either donate it, swap it with a friend, or give it a new home. If the clothes are no longer wearable, make sure it goes into a clothing recycling bin.

If you must buy something new, think: Will I wear it a minimum of 30 times?
The idea is to get you thinking of your clothes as an investment rather than something disposable. And that is the behind SLOW FASHION rather than FAST FASHION.

The issue with fast fashion is this

The issue with fast fashion is this: You buy it, you get a few uses, and it’s done.  When it comes to quality, you get what you paid for.

Not to encourage buying disposable clothes, but if you must, when you are done with it, dispose of it correctly and not in the garbage. Take it to a recycling bin, where it can be transformed into something useful like fleece or insulation.

Donating your clothes from fast fashion chains won’t make you a good Samaritan either, because even thrift stores will sort them out as “junk” and will end up in the garbage or end up polluting countries on the other side of the world:

More than 50 tonnes a day are being discarded, and many items are being dumped on wasteland and beaches and then finding their way into the sea.

Between 10% to 20% of donated clothes are actually sold through charity shops, the rest, like in the case of Burberry, gets incinerated.

So many resources wasted! Next time you need a new piece of clothing, especially staples like jeans, coats or jackets, consider going second hand, vintage, or consignment. Pre-loved clothes are just that, pre-loved, still in good condition and sometimes even with the original tags.  Or shop your closet, I bet you will find ways to update your LBD with different accessories.

Like Coco Chanel said “Elegance does not necessarily consist in putting on a new dress”.

Wearing second-hand items from the Lotus House Thrift Store boutique / Shoes by Coclico

Steps for a Conscious lifestyle

The general belief is that leading a more conscious life is either difficult or expensive. The truth is, it could be daunting if you don’t know where to start or without the proper research. You can take small steps and buy vegetables from the dirty dozen list, replace your conventional body lotion for a certified organic one, and commit to recycle all plastic bottles or ban their use all together.

Here are easy steps to follow for your home, your kitchen, your closet and your personal care items. You can pick and choose which one you want to apply to your daily life, but if you want to apply them all, more power to you.

HOME
Recycle
Plastic lasts forever and most likely it ends up in the ocean, like in the Great Pacific Garbage Gyre. Recycle all your plastic bottles and cans, and remember that you can even recycle old batteries, ink cartridges, and wine bottle corks.
 Cleaning Products
All conventional cleaning products are full of toxic ingredients that are known hormone disruptors or carcinogenic. The easiest and most affordable method to clean? White vinegar and water. Vinegar contains 5% acetic acid, which has antimicrobial properties. You can use a mixture of water and vinegar as a produce wash, to disinfect and clean the floor, windows, mirrors, glass, counter-tops. If you are not into DIY, you can find safe brands to buy at Grove Collaborative.
Organic Cotton Bed Sheets
Cotton farming uses more pesticides than any other area of agricultural production. In addition, cotton sheets labeled “Wrinkle-Free”, “Easy Care” and “Permanent Press” indicate that the fabric has been treated with formaldehyde resin, one of the most toxic chemical fabric finishes designed NOT to wash out. You can find organic cotton bedsheets from the following brands: Coyuchi , Alterra Pure, Farm to Home, West Elm, American Blossom Linens

FOOD
Dirty Dozen & Clean 15 Fruits and Vegetables
The EWG (Environmental Working Group) has created a practical list to get you started on shopping organic produce and avoid pesticides. Save money by buying organic fruits and vegetables from the Dirty Dozen List (the ones with the most pesticides residue) and stick to conventional fruits and vegetables from the Clean 15 List. A rule of thumb: if you can peel it, eat it.
 Meatless Monday
Did you know that 2,500 cows produce the same amount of waste as a city of 411,000 people? And that it requires 660 gallons of water to make 1 hamburger? That is the equivalent of showering daily for 2 entire months. Animal agriculture is eroding the health of the planet and you can help by consuming less meat. Meatless Monday was created to create awareness about this issue plus skipping meat one day a week is good for your health and fantastic for the planet. Click here to get recipes from the Meatless Monday’s website.
Dairy without Hormones
Choose dairy products that are free from the hormone rBGH -a genetically engineered artificial hormone injected into dairy cows to increase milk production. Everything that goes in to the cows goes into your body. Many studies have noted links associated between this hormones and the risk of cancer, especially breast and prostate cancer, and also allergies. Choose brands like Horizon Organics, Organic Valley, or Whole Foods 365. Better yet choose plants based milks from almond, hemp, or coconut.

FASHION
Organic Cotton
As mentioned above, cotton farming is one of the most polluting industries in the world. Build your wardrobe by buying staples like t-shirts, underwear and jeans made of organic cotton or more sustainable fabrics like tencel, modal, and bamboo. These brands make wardrobe essentials from organic cotton: Pact, Yes And, Nudie Jeans.
Ethical Fashion
Be knowledable of where your clothes are coming from, many pieces are manufactured under poor labor conditions in countries like India and China. Check the brand's website to see if they have a transparent supply chain and details where the clothing is made and under which conditions. The Good On You app is a handy resource to use to identfy the best ethical brands.
Vintage and Thrift Stores
By buying second hand you keep old/used clothes from ending in landfills. Check out vintage stores, thrift stores, or E-Bay. You do not need to part from what you currently have in your closet, but if you don’t use it, either donate it or hold a “swap party” with your friends. This is the best way to refresh your wardrobe without spending a dime.

PERSONAL CARE
Skincare and Body-care
Check labels for things like Parabens, SLS, DEA, and Triclosan and avoid them at all costs. The retail store Credo has an extesinve list of ingredients to avoid. If you wish to swap your current products start with the products that you use the most like body lotion and shampoo. And before swapping your products, finish them and dispose of the empty bottles properly.

Get in the habit of making conscious purchases - ask yourself if you really need that extra pair of shoes or a new mascara. The idea is to become more conscious with the things you buy.